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Post by murphy00 on Sept 4, 2006 10:50:01 GMT -4
I am relocating to the Washington DC area and would like to get some input about life in Stevensville and Kent Island in general.
From my initial research it appears the elementary schools are good. Does anyone have any other opinion about the schools?
Any parks and recreational sports like soccer or softball for girls aged 5 and 7?
How about the commute to DC? Metro or rail options? I noticed a commuter bus (950) which departs the Kent Island Park and Ride and takes about an hour. Does anyone take this bus and is it reliable. What about the drive in and any HOV lanes on Route 50?
Housing seems somewhat affordable by DC standards, is there any new construction of single family homes on the island?
What are some of the newer subdivisions in Stevensville?
Is there any discounted toll for residents of the island or is it $2.50 each time?
Can you get everything you need in Annapolis and how quick is the trip to Annapolis?
Is this a flood zone and is flood insurance required?
How about homeowners insurance rates and property taxes?
Any information would be appreciated about family life and living in the area.
Thank you.
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Post by marie on Sept 4, 2006 15:38:16 GMT -4
The commuter bus is very reliable and it takes about 1.25 hours door to door from Chester/Stevensville.
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Post by Mike on Sept 4, 2006 17:08:42 GMT -4
From my initial research it appears the elementary schools are good. Does anyone have any other opinion about the schools? yes, the schools are goodAny parks and recreational sports like soccer or softball for girls aged 5 and 7? sure isHow about the commute to DC? Metro or rail options? I noticed a commuter bus (950) which departs the Kent Island Park and Ride and takes about an hour. Does anyone take this bus and is it reliable. What about the drive in and any HOV lanes on Route 50? No Metro or Rail or HOV Lanes - just the bus you mentionedHousing seems somewhat affordable by DC standards, is there any new construction of single family homes on the island? Stevensville is not the only place on "Kent Island", Chester and Grasonville are just as close to the Bay BridgeIs there any discounted toll for residents of the island or is it $2.50 each time? EZ-Pass works to cross the Bridge - www.ezpassmaryland.comCan you get everything you need in Annapolis and how quick is the trip to Annapolis? You can get eveything you need in StevensvilleIs this a flood zone and is flood insurance required? Some areas neat the water, it isnt requiredHow about homeowners insurance rates and property taxes? Not my strong areaRemember -- The Island is called Kent (Kent Island), the towns are called Stevensville and Chester
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Post by bchevy on Sept 4, 2006 18:21:21 GMT -4
SOME part of Kent Island ARE required to have flood ins. those in the 100 year flood plain need it (at least if you have a mortgage) those in the 500 year plain can get out of it.
The Schools are some of the best around, I have 2 in high school now and both have been in Q.A. Schools from the start.
Discounts for commuters on the bridge- yes, $1.00 per eastbound trip, they still have tickets, and now the EZ pass.
Annapolis=15 minutes or so, depending on what part of Annapolis, and traffic.
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Post by falgar25 on Sept 4, 2006 18:47:16 GMT -4
Asking on this board before moving to the island was a really good idea. Hopefully, you will get all the answers you need.
To add to what others have said:
EZ-Pass is the way to go for crossing the bridge. For commuters, there is a $1/trip plan. You pay $25 for 25 trips which must all be used within 60 days. It has worked very well for me.
There is an HOV lane on Rt 50 from about Rt 3 to DC. It isn't much, but it helps. Once you get to the beltway there isn't much. You will also find that the Severn River bridge causes a significant backup during rush hour; this is worse than the Bay Bridge.
Parts of the island are in flood zones. Flood insurance will probably be required by your lender if you live in one of those zones. It is required by my lender.
Property tax (with my tax bill in front of me), county and state combined, is just over 91 cents per $100 of assessed value.
I find 99% of what I need on the island. I commute past Annapolis so anything I can't find here I can easily stop for over there. It's about 20 miles to Annapolis and the only thing to slow you down would be Saturday and Sunday afternoon return-home-from-the-beach traffic. In general, Annapolis is close enough that I just go whenever I need to. And, of course, there is also Centreville, Easton, and Cambridge (a bit farther away).
You should definitely check out more of the threads on this board, there is some good information there. There is a strong desire by some (me included) to keep the island the way it is. Look around and if you like what you see here, it's a great place to live. If you believe the place has a lot of potential if only there was a bunch of new construction .....
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Post by Frank on Sept 5, 2006 12:06:56 GMT -4
I commute to DC everday (near the Navy yard) It is an hour each way. I have a rider so I use the HOV lane from Bowie. EZ-pass gets me home for a buck a day. Homeowners insurance and property taxes not as bad as surrounding areas but climbing. Life on the island is quiet, safe, and comfortable.
BTW: Just don't go trying to change anything on the island or the website members will confiscate your home and ship you to Glen Burnie!!
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Post by Mike on Sept 5, 2006 14:02:10 GMT -4
you tell 'em Frank!
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Post by Frank on Sept 5, 2006 14:58:59 GMT -4
You gotta leave Applebys over the bridge!!
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Post by Mikey on Sept 6, 2006 8:46:41 GMT -4
Yeah, Murphy ... if you are looking for the smaller town atmosphere KI is where its at. If you are looking for suburbs, you may want to look at Prince George's county.
I ride the 950 most days. Very dependable if the time and route fit your job. Definitly the way to go. I work downtown and live in Stevensville. My drive can be anywhere from 50 minutes to 1 hr 45 mins on a bad day.
Kent Island has everything we need other than a Homo Depot and a Sam's club. 15 mins to Annapolis for each of those.
In Annapolis you will find a Lord and Taylor, Nordstrom and Whole Foods. You will not find a Wal-Mart or Target. Its just not that kind of town.
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Post by Mikey on Sept 6, 2006 8:49:16 GMT -4
Just to clarify: I would rather drive to Annapolis to the Homo Depot and Sam's than see it on Kent Island. Dont need any more strip malls.
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Post by matt on Sept 6, 2006 9:10:24 GMT -4
Aww, gee, Mikey, and here I was all ready to rant. LOL
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Post by murphy00 on Sept 6, 2006 19:03:44 GMT -4
Thank you very much for all the helpful information. Your island is winding up on my short list of possible places to live.
Mikey,
Regarding the 950 bus, is it a packed bus with standing room only or can you usually get a seat on both trips. Also, is the time frame from the island to DC pretty accurate. The 6:50AM bus says it arrives into DC around 7:50AM.
Thanks again.
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Post by Sam P on Sept 6, 2006 19:29:41 GMT -4
I take the 6:50AM 950 bus once in a while and it usually gets to 12th & K Street between 7:45 and 7:55am. The particular driver on that route drives very slow. The 6:20AM bus take less time. Both fill up, but it is never standing room. Just don't be the guy that shows up a minute before it leaves and you will always be ok.
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Post by Mikey on Sept 7, 2006 9:29:54 GMT -4
Regarding the 950 bus, is it a packed bus with standing room only or can you usually get a seat on both trips. Also, is the time frame from the island to DC pretty accurate. The 6:50AM bus says it arrives into DC around 7:50AM.
The bus used to be about 30% full when gas was at $2. Now its about 80% since gas went to $3. I have never had a problem getting a seat. Very comfortable greyhound-type traveling bus. I am at the 2nd stop in DC and I usually get dropped off between 7:50 and 8:00, depending on traffic. One day last week when it was raining it took til 8:40 ... but that is very rare.
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Post by gwbushdumb on Sept 14, 2006 15:42:14 GMT -4
Kent Island is ok, but I think your best bet is Bowie. There is a lot of old houses that need some work but not to much work. You could get a good deal and it would be the best investment. Kent Island is busting at the seems and the traffic is getting worse. Business establishments cant even support themselves and have closed in most places.
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Post by murphy00 on Sept 14, 2006 22:08:19 GMT -4
Unfortunately, Bowie is in Prince Georges County and with two school children I would put up with the added hassle to ensure they were in better schools. Although I cannot speak firsthand about the school comparison between Queen Anne's and Prince George's, all my research seems to clearly indicate that QA has superior schools.
If you or anyone disagrees (other than the radicals on this board who don't want anyone to come to Kent Island) with me, please chime in. I'm open to any information I can gather since I know very little about that part of the country.
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Post by Alex on Sept 14, 2006 22:26:24 GMT -4
There isn't any comparison between Bowie and KI, seriously. This area has the same problems that every area has, but nothing that you can't teach your kids to stay away from. The down side here is that there aren’t a lot of things for teens to do, whether you're talking things like movie theatres and game rooms, or boys/girls clubs, but that's it. Kids with a weak family structure can fall into a bad crowd, but even the "bad crowd" is nothing like what it is in PG County or even Annapolis. You won't see gang fights here (like Annapolis High last week), and racial problems like what Bowie has been dealing with for many years now. People, for the most part, get along fine here and the schools are very good. I know this first hand and I wouldn't live here if it was detrimental to my family. This is a great place to raise a family and to enjoy the county and be close to the city. You can't beat it - Applebees or not.
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Post by M6DGGYW on Sept 15, 2006 7:05:40 GMT -4
You would think that if KI is "busting at the seams" that the business establishments would be doing great? KI needs proper planning.
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Post by Mikey on Sept 15, 2006 9:41:50 GMT -4
You would think that if KI is "busting at the seams" that the business establishments would be doing great? KI needs proper planning. Nail on the head. Great locatinon. Beautiful scenery. Wonderful people. Very poor planning. When developers came knocking from outside of the area, the county took the bait. Time after time.
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Post by Frank on Sept 15, 2006 13:19:50 GMT -4
More information about living on Kent Island and the eastern shore can be found in last months "Washingtonian" magazine. It gives a number of reasons why so many people are moving out this way. Tony Snow, Donald Rumsfeld, and even thingy Cheney have all moved to the eastern shore. Greta Van Susteren recently bought 20 acres and a home on Kent Island! There is definently something that is drawing people our way.
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Post by bchevy on Sept 16, 2006 7:09:58 GMT -4
There is definently something that is drawing people our way. That's the line of the week! Has it all in a nutshell. whatever's drawing them here, is already here, (or not here).
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Post by Mike on Sept 16, 2006 22:04:44 GMT -4
Maybe they think they are building an Applebees?
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Post by Frank on Sept 16, 2006 23:14:39 GMT -4
Thats it, bchevy. Whats drawing them here is the quiet, unpopulated, rural community we live in. Once everyone decides they want the same thing and move this way, we are no longer quiet, rural, or unpopulated. We become exactly what they are moving away from.
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Post by ljp on Sept 30, 2006 19:32:54 GMT -4
Yeah, Murphy ... if you are looking for the smaller town atmosphere KI is where its at. If you are looking for suburbs, you may want to look at Prince George's county. ::: shudder::::: Prince GeorgeCounty ::::shudder:::::
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